Saturday, 29 December 2012

Amnesty International expresses concern over Cambodia’s justice system

Amnesty International has today expressed its concern over the latest
conviction of two housing rights activists based on fabricated charges
by Phnom Penh’s Municipal Court. The humanitarian organization has
stressed that these actions confirms the dire state of Cambodia’s
justice system and rule of law in the country.

According to the announcement, Yorm Bopha was today sentenced to three
years imprisonment for ‘intentional violence’, while late yesterday Tim
Sakmony was found guilty of making a false declaration and given a
suspended prison sentence. The charges in both cases are fabricated and
no credible evidence was presented at their trials.

As Amnesty International’s researcher on Cambodia, Rupert Abbott
stated: “These shocking verdicts show why Cambodians have good reason
not to trust their courts. Amnesty International has designated Tim
Sakmony and Yorm Bopha as prisoners of conscience. They are being
persecuted purely for their work defending the rights of those in their
communities who have lost their houses through forced evictions.”

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Yorm Bopha has actively defended the right to housing for her community
at Phnom Penh’s former Boeung Kak Lake, where some 20,000 people have
been forcibly evicted since 2008.

Tim Sakmony protested the violent forced eviction of 300 families in
her community in Phnom Penh’s Borei Keila in January 2012 and called for
provision of the alternative housing promised to them.

In addition, the Appeals Court today upheld the 20-year sentences of
Born Samnang and Sok Sam Ourn who were convicted for the killing of
trade union leader Cha Vichea in 2004 based on forced confessions. As a
result, the two men face a further 15 years in prison for a crime they
did not commit.

More cases of injustice have taken place in Cambodia last year, causing
Amnesty International’s great concern and as a result, the organization
urged Cambodian government to end this mockery of justice.

Between Tea Banh and Hun Sen, who would you support? គាំទ្រ ហ៊ុន សែន ឬ ទា បាញ់?

Between Hun Sen and Sok An, who would you support? គាំទ្រ ហ៊ុន​ សែន ឬ សុខ អាន?

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